Puri: Naming the Digha Jagannath Temple as Jagannath Dham is against Jagannath culture, said the Gajapati King of Puri in Odisha.
Following a high-level meeting in Puri, Gajapati said that naming Digha Jagannath Temple as Jagannath Dham is against Jagannath culture.
In today’s meeting, the managing committee has given its approval to the policy schedule for the upcoming Snana Yatra, Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath and siblings.
Puri Gajapati said that Jagannath Dham only means Purushottam Kshetra, Srikshetra, Puri. We are surprised at such naming of Digha Jagannath Temple.
Many Jagannath temples have been built in the world. But no one has done such naming. Jagatguru and I have previously expressed the opinion that only Srikshetra Puri is Jagannath Dham, he said.
Digha Jagannath Temple has been named Jagannath Dham on the instructions of the West Bengal Government. The Odisha state government has also informed the West Bengal government through a letter that the word Sri Jagannath Dham will be removed from the Digha temple immediately. The state government needs to take immediate steps in this regard.
Although the ISKCON organization has taken responsibility, it is a matter of concern that they have not changed it yet. It is unacceptable to distort and violate the tradition of Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath.
Asked about ISKCON’s irregular Rath Yatra issue he said that ISKCON is conducting Rath Yatra within India as per the tradition of the temple. On December 2, 2024, a discussion was held with the ISKCON chief. ISKCON scholars have submitted their information. Soon, the temple will refute ISKCON’s opinion and provide information to ISKCON. It is expected that they will follow our tradition after all the information is given to ISKCON. If the ISKCON chief does not refrain from this, the next course of action will be taken. ISKCON is a religious organization. Therefore, priority will be given to how this can be resolved through amicable settlement rather than going to court, Gajapati said.
